Transporting device



Oct. 21, 1958-4 w. s. wEsT l `v 2,857,066

i TRANSPORTING DEVICE Filed oct. 1e. 1954 n f 2 sheets-sheet 1INVENTOYR..

BY WILLIAM S. WEST I Oct. 2l, 1958 w. s. wEsT v 2,857,065

TRANSPORTING DEVICE Filed oct. 19. 1954 2 sheets-sheet 2 y NVENTOR,

By WILL/AM s. WEST United States Patent TRANSPORTING DEVICE William S.West, Cleveland, Ohio Application October 19, 1954, Serial No. 463,180 3claims. (c1. 214-707) My invention relates to transporting devices suchas lift trucks used for carrying a load on a pallet.

The present invention is related to and constitutes an improvement uponthe lift truck disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,681,712, issuedJune 22, 1954.

An object of my invention is to provide an improved transporting devicefor a lift truck providing improved means for accommodating the loadbeing transported.

Another object is the provision of means in a lift truck forautomatically tilting the load carried by the lift truck upon raisingthe load relative to the lift truck.

Another object is-the provision for automatically tilting the liftingdevice carried by the frame of a lift truck upon the raising of thelifting device to a load-transporting position.

' Another object is the provision for providing safety in the use of atransporting device and in preventing the load carried thereby fromshifting during movement of the transporting device.

Another object is the provision of an improved lift truck which, uponraising the load preparatory to moving the load, also tilts the loadbackwardly against the back -rest and thus holds it in safe position.

Another object is the provision of an improved braking mechanism on alift truck having tires of rubberlike material and of resilient nature.

Another object is the provision for safely setting the brakes on such alift truck while providing for the easy manipulation of the brakes.

Another object is the provision of a braking mechanism which takesadvantage of the resiliently expandable nature of pneumatic rubber tiresfor the locking of the brakes in braking position.

Other objects and a fuller understanding of this invention may be had byreferring to the following description and claims, taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view looking down upon a transporting device or lifttruck embodying my invention, with a portion cut away to betterillustrate the parts;

Figure 2 is a side view of the device shown in Figure l;

Figure 3v is a rear View of the device shown in Figures 1 and 2 andlooking toward the left in Figures l and 2; and

Figure 4 is a partial view taken through the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

My transporting device or lift truck has a frame denoted generally bythe reference character 11. The frame 11 has a pair of upper side arms12 made of steel tubing formed generally in the shape of a U, the baseof the U being denoted by the reference character 13.

The frame 11 also has a pair of spaced lower arms 14 arranged in aU-shape and disposed below, and generally parallel to, the upper sidearms 12. There are a pair of diagonally disposed upright brace pieces 20extending from near the rear end of lower arms 14 upwardly to the upperside arms' 12.` The membersA 12, 13, 14 and 20 are of steel tubessuitably welded together.

2,857,066' Patented Oct. 21, 1958 tensions 15 are generally parallel toeach other and have angularly disposed portions 16 abutting and weldedto the forward ends of the arms 14.

Connecting the forward `ends of the upper arms 12 and the extensions 15are two bars or strips 17. The bars lor strips 17 are welded to the arms12 and to the extension 15 to provide a rigid connection therebetween.Suitably journalled on axle shafts 18 are two spaced forward wheels 19.Each of the wheels 19 is suspended on an independent axle shaft 18 so asto leave an open bay between the extensions 15 supporting the wheels. Byreason of the U-'shape of the frame and the independent mounting of eachforward wheel, there is an open space or bay provided between the upperand lower side arms of the frame'for accommodating a load.

Each of the wheels 19 has mounted thereon a pneumatic tire ofrubber-like material and of a nature which is resiliently compressibleand expandable. Upon being compressed in a radially inward direction,each tire exerts an opposing radially outward force in the usual mannerof a resilient tire of rubber-like material of pneumatic orsemi-pneumatic construction.

There are a pair of upper rollers 21 journalled upon the upper side arms12, the two upper rollers 21 being arranged on a common axis. There isalso a pair of lower rollers journalled on the lower side arms 14, therollers 22 being arranged on a common axis. lt is to be noted that thepair of rollers 21 are disposed in a vertical plane somewhat rearwardlyfrom a vertical plane passing through the axis of the lower rollers 22,as seen, for example, in Figure 2.

Rearwardly of the lower rollers 22 and extending be` tween the two sidearms 14 is a cross piece 23 welded to the arms 14 and also made oftubular steel.

To raise a'load, such as a load on the pallet, denoted by the referencecharacter 56 in Figure 2, there is provided a lifting device denoted bythe reference character 24. The lifting device 24 is positioned withinthe open bay or space within the frame 11 and its function is to raise aload upwardly from the ground or other supporting surface so that thewelded frame may transport the load to a desired location.

The' lifting device 24 has a platform kor nger portion 25 disposedgenerally in a horizontal plane. The platform member 25 is welded to thelower ends of a pair of bar strips 28 extending downwardly at therear ofthe open bay. A pair of end plates 30 disposed in a horizontal positionare welded to the lower ends of the strips 28 and to the rear of theplatform member 25. A cross-rod 29 also welded to the strips 28 extendsbetween the lower ends of the strip 28 generally in the line of the endplates 30 and a little above platform member 25. Welded to the outerends of the plates 30 and thus rigidly secured to the two spaced strips28 andV to the platform member 25, are two upright rods vor guidingmembers 26. Thesev rods or guiding members nearkthe lower ends thereof,extend generally in a vertical direction but intermediate their ends arecurved to form the contour shown in the drawings andparticularlyinhFigure 2. The forward edge surfaces ofthe two spacedrrods or guidingmembers 26 provide a contour or guiding surfaces adapted to rollinglyengageY the upper rollers 21. The two lower rollers 22 are positioned torollingly engage the rear edge surfaces of the two rods 26.Vv The 'upperends ofthe two spaced rodslor guiding'members `26 are joined byahorizontal member 27 welded thereto'.

Extending between the upperh'orizontal member' 27 and the lower crossrod 29,' and in'advance of the' spaced rods 26, is aback board orvertical rearward' :member 31. This back board 31 is adapted to beengaged by a load upon the platform portion 25 on any tilting of thelifting 'member 24 'or upon any other lateral shift of the load, such asa load of bricks, upon a pallet 56 supported on the platform member 25.

The 'upper ends of the long strips or bars 28 converge somewhat as theyextend upwardly and near their upper ends are parallel to each other.The upper ends of the strips 28 are welded to the top horizontal member27. It is therefore seen that the lifting device 24, including the twocurved rods 26, the top horizontal bar 27, the two strips or bars 28,the platform member 25, the plates 30, the bottom cross-rod 29, and theback rest 3l, all move upwardly and downwardly as a unit in the open bayof the `frame 11.

Mounted upon the cross piece 23 of the frame is a pivot mounting 34. Across pin 33 thereon pivotaily mounts a cylinder unit 36 so as to tiethe cylinder 36 to the frame but to permit the swinging of the cylinderunit 36. A piston stem 35, extending from a piston in the "hydrauliccylinder 36 and extending upwardly therefrom, is pivotally connected tothe two strips 28 by a cross pin 32. Admission of fluid under `pressureinto the cylinder unit 36 causes extension of the piston stem 35 and theraising of the lifting member 24. Release of the fluid from the cylinder36 causes the lifting device to lower by its own weight and to thusretract the piston stem 35. The lowermost position of the lifting member24 is shown in full lines in the several views of the drawings. Theraised position of the lifting device 24 is shown in broken'lines inFigure 2. Here it will be seen that the curvature of the guiding membersor curved rods 26 engaging the two pairs of rollers 21 and 22 causes thelifting device to tilt rearwardly as it is raised upwardly. Upondownward movement, the lifting device 24 shifts to its horizontalposition in which the platform member is generally horizontal. By thisautomatic tilting of the lifting device, a load vcarried on the liftingdevice automatically has its weight shifted back towards the back rest31 and thus tends to prevent the load from falling forwardly off of thelifting device while it is being transported. This provides for greatersafety and convenience in the use of the device.

Weldably secured to the rear end of the lower arms 14 where the armsbend around is a platform bracket 3S. Pivotally mounted to this platformbracket 38 is a forked wheel mounting 39. A tire 40 is journalled uponthe forked mounting 39. The mounting is such that the wheel 40 mayfreely swivel as the frame is wheeled about. The wheel 40 also has aresilient pneumatic tire of rubber-like material mounted thereon.

Mounted upon the top of the platform bracket 38 is a pump and valve unit41. Extending upwardly upon the unit 41 is a pump and valve handle 42.Movement of the handle in the appropriate manner provides hydraulicpressure to be supplied to the cylinder 36 through a suitable conduit.Manipulation of the handle 42 also moves the valves of the unit 41 sothat fluid under pressure is either admitted to the cylinder 36 or uidis released from the cylinder 36 to permit retraction of the piston stem35. The pump and valve unit with the cylinder and piston provides anappropriate mechanical-advantage means by which the lifting device 24 israised and lowered so as to raise and lower a load upon platform 25.

The invention also includes suitable safety means for applying brakes tothe carrier and for maintaining the braking action as desired. A pair ofbrake members or plates 45 are pivotally carried on the portion 16 ofthe extensions in such a manner that the members 45 may swing toward andaway from the tire tread of the two spaced Wheels 19. The upper ends ofthe members or plates 45 at a distance above the pivot 44 are connectedby pins 46 to rods 47, respectively. Each rod 47 is coupled to analigned rod 49 by means of an adjusting buckle or member 48. Theleverage provided by the arrangement shown better in Figure 2, is suchthat upon rearward movement ofthe rods '47 and 49, the lower end of thebraking members 45 are forced against, and radially inwardly of, thetire treads of the wheels 19. Forward movement of the rods 47 and 49retracts the braking members away from the wheels and thus to releasethe brakes and stop further braking action.

To exert a maximum vof force upon the braking members and to alsoprovide for maintaining ythem in braking operation, there is provided atoggle structure and operation. To provide for this toggle, short links50 are pivotally connected, respectively, to the upper ends of the rods49 by means of movable pivots 52. The other ends of the short vlinks.5.0 .are pivotally carried by the fixed or stationary pivots 51. Thesaid other ends of the short links Si) are integrally connected to andcarried by a cross bar 55 disposed in a horizontal plane. Rocking of thecross bar 55 by means of a actuating rod 53 revolves the short links 50to operate the rods 49 in the usual toggle arrangement. A handle 54 is.provided on the end of the actuating rod 53 to facilitate the use ofthe braking mechanism.

It will be noted that when the brakes have been applied so as to placethe braking mechanism and associated rods in the position shown inFigure 2, the rubber tires on the wheels 19 are resiliently compressed.By reason of the nature of the tires, the tires exert an equal andopposing force to press the braking members 45 radially outward of theWheels. This opposing -force is transferred to the toggle arrangement sothat it tends to vlock the toggle arrangement into the position ofFigure 2 and thus to maintain the braking action upon the wheels. Onlyby exerting enough vmanual force on the rod, may this opposing force beovercome and the brake released. Upon releasing of the brake, the.toggle arrangement assumes the position of the parts shownvin Figure 4.

It will thus be seen that there is here presented an improved carrierhaving improved safety features which aid properly carrying the load ina convenient and safe manner, and also in which there is provided aproper economical and eficient manner of locking Athe carrier in astopped or braked condition.

The present disclosure includes that contained in the appended claims,as well as that in the foregoing description.

Although this invention has been described in its preferred form with acertain degree of particularity, it is understood that the presentdisclosure of the ,preferred form has been made only by way of exampleand that numerous changes in the details -of construction and thecombination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafterclaimed.

What is claimed is:

l. A carrier comprising in combination a frame rollingly movable along asurface, said frame having an upper portion and lower portion anddefining an` open hay at the forward end of the carrier, a rst pair ofrolling elements carried by said upper portion, a second pair of rollingelements carried by said lower portion, a lifting device carried by saidframe and located in said open bay, said loading device having aload-carryingportion extending forwardly in said open bay and having aback-rest portion disposedat substantially right angles to theload-carrying portion and extending upwardly therefrom, elevating meansconnecting said frame and said lifting device for elevating said liftingdevice relative to said frame, and a guiding member carried by, andmovable with, said lifting device, said guiding member being in rollingengagement with said rst and second fpairs of rolling elements to guidethe movement of said lifting device, said guiding member yhaving acontour portion displaced from a substantially vertical plane, andengageable by said rst pair of rolling elements to vary 5 the angulardisposition of the loading device relative to said vertical plane uponthe elevation of the loading device relative to the frame by saidelevation means.

2. A carrier comprising in combination a frame rollingly movable along asurface, said frame having spaced side portions defining an open space,a lifting device carried by the frame and movable up and down in saidopen space, elevating means carried by the frame for elevating saidlifting device, roller means carried by said frame in Xed locations at aplurality of elevations, guide means carried by said lifting device tomove therewith in rolling engagement with said roller means to guide theup and down movements of the lifting device, said` guide means having acontour substantially deviating from a straight vertical plane andarranged to tilt said lifting device rearwardly upon upward movement ofsaid guide means along said roller means.

3. In combination, a wheeled frame having forwardly extending andspaced-apart arms adapted to embrace a load to be transported, a liftingdevice carried by said frame and movable up and down relative to saidframe, said lifting device having a platform portion adapted to supportsaid load, mechanical-advantage means carried by said frame for raisingsaid lifting device relative to said frame, roller means and guide meansengaging said frame and lifting device for rollingly guiding the up anddown movement of said lifting device relative to said frame, said guidemeans comprising a pair of spaced frame members extending upwardly fromsaid platform portion and movable with the lifting device in saidup-anddown movement, said roller means including a plurality of rollersjournaled on said frame at spaced elevations to engage the guide meansat a plurality of elevations, said guide means including a contoursurface engageable by said roller means and arranged to vary theangularity of the lifting device relative to the frame during said upand down movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNlTED STATES PATENTS767,299 McDonald Aug. 9, 1904 1,012,713 Russell Dec. 26, 1911 1,170,638Hofstrand Feb. 8, 1916 1,426,116 Simons Aug. 15, 1922 2,558,917 WoodwardJuly 3, 1951 2,560,131 Sasgen et al. July 10, 1951 2,681,712 West June22, 1954

